The NGI Conference took place in the Northern Territory last month and was a rip-roaring success. Held in tropical Darwin, delegates were welcomed on Monday April 19 at Crocosaurus Cove, home to many salt water crocodiles and a number of other reptiles.
Tuesday began bright and early with the Yates industry tours. This year there were three tours to choose from. Retail tour attendees got a taste of some of Darwin’s best retail sites and gardens, including the beautifully diverse Darwin Botanic Gardens.
Delegates on the Production tour were given an insight into how the growers do it in the Territory. This included a visit to Ironstone Lagoon Nursery which has its very own nature reserve.
The third option, the Katherine Tour, took a three and a half hour drive to the stunning Katherine Gorge, stopping on the way at Cycad International, home of the award-winning Jurassic cycad gardens.
On the Tuesday evening State Winners celebrated their success at the Winners’ Dinner whilst enjoying a seafood buffet and presentations from two of the current Hall of Famers about how to make the most of their Award win.
The Conference speaker sessions began on the Wednesday, hosted by industry extraordinaire Judy Horton. Through these sessions delegates were encouraged to grasp their opportunities and better their businesses by being aware of economic issues, making the most of staff, effectively promoting themselves, and being stringent with biosecurity.
The OAMPS NextGen Territoy Rig Theme Night was held on the Wednesday evening at Darwin Ski Club against the backdrop of a spectacular NT sunset. The Landscape Olympics were a laughable event and the band “Tiffany and the Curls” provided great entertainment well into the night.
Plenary sessions were split for retail and technical streams on the Thursday morning where retailers and growers were given ideas, inspiration and specific tools for their trades, coming back together for the afternoon to watch a hilarious panel discussion where the ‘Young Guns’ debated the ‘Old Guns’ about whether it was better to be a nurseryman today or 20 years ago.
The final event of the Conference was the announcement of the industry’s best at the Awards Gala Dinner. Delegates dressed to the nines and enjoyed a spectacular evening of wining, dining and celebrating, ending the event on a high note.
A big thank you to all those who made the Conference possible – our Sponsors, the Conference Committee and the NGIA staff.
Outdoor Design Source and Universal Magazines again sponsored the Supplier Award this year.
Congratulations to the 2010 NGI Award Winners
Best Small Garden Centre
Elegant Outdoors, NSW
Best Medium Garden Centre
Zanthorrea Nursery, WA
Best Large Garden Centre
Van Loon’s Nursery, VIC
Best Propagation Nursery
Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery
Best Small Production Nursery
Hillier’s Horticulture, QLD
Best Medium Production Nursery
Dracaena Farm, QLD
Best Large Production Nursery
Warner’s Nurseries, VIC
Best Government Nursery
AQIS Knoxfield, VIC
Environment Award
Provincial Plants and Landscapes, ACT & NSW
Community Award
Geoff Miers Garden Solutions, NT
Training Award
Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery
Export Award
Mr Fern, VIC
Supplier Award
Yates
Young Leader
Mark Engall, Engall’s Nursery, NSW
CNP Student Scholarships
Metro Scholarship
Cameron Hainsworth, VIC
Rural Scholarship
Regan Masman, NSW
NGIA Award of Merit
Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland
Images (top to bottom) – all the Award winners; conference delegates.
